_Kate_

Wow very inspiring. Keep up the good work and like you said you will be at Onederland soon Kate

Im so sorry to hear your news Ella. Make sure you look after yourself and your health, so you can support your Mum. Hugs Kate

I went to Cuba 4 months after having the sleeve. I did take Protein bars, as I wasn't really sure of the standard of foods we would be eating. I went for just over 3 weeks and ate the 24 bars that I took when we were travelling round the island. Once we were at the all inclusive hotel for the last week it was fine. I lost weight and felt great on holiday. Its just about making the right choices and in Europe it should be a doddle. Kate

Whoot whoot... Congratulations and speedy recovery ! Kate

I wish I could get 1100 calories in at 16 months out Seems a lot at 7 weeks. Do you keep a log of everything you eat and drink? Kate

My own view is you could wait until you are maintaining especially as its going to be a big tattoo. You dont have any stats on your profile but if you want to lose a lot of weight it will change your skin and may make the tattoo look odd. What ar you having done ? Kate ps: I am having my first one soon but have waited until I was maintaining and I had finished with my skin surgery. Whohooooo im an old rebel lol

I took lots of Vitamins etc etc for the first year and it didn't stop the hair loss. The reality is that if you have it, you have it and need to just remember that it will eventually come back. Initially i had about 12 inches cut off my hair too, into a bob, which I love now. I stopped taking Biotin after a year and just used thickening shampoo's and conditioners which has helped it to look thicker. My hair has stopped falling out recently. In the big scheme of things, it wasn't a worry. I'd rather have thinning hair for a number of months than be as obese as I was. Best wishes for the surgery!! Kate

For how long?

You can't change what you did so just start afresh. The new surgery date is 20 days away so you lots of time. What are your pre op rules and for how long? My surgeon wanted me to do 2 weeks of just Protein drinks but I did 18. Get all the support you need from here. Buddy up with others who are starting this at the same time as you. You will be fine !! Kate

How far out are you and how much have you lost up to now? Whats your protein/calorie/water intake, daily? Kate

@@CocoNina I did 18 days and it was hard however I kept in mind that it was for my own safety and made it easier for my surgeon to do the sleeve. It made me very tired and I can remember being in bed by 8pm some nights! I work full time so kept myself busy there, cleaned the house from top to bottom in prep for returning home after the surgery and focused on reading about the surgery, buying things in and walking the dog a lot. You can do this!! Kate

Best wishes for the surgery and a speedy recovery. Make sure you let us al know how you get on Kate

I never felt hungry after the surgery and had to put an alarm on my phone to remember to eat. Even now I dont often feel hungry but I know when I need to eat. I stick to measured out foods and never go past the 20 minute eating guideline. I have learnt to know when I am sated rather than full. Earlier on I used to get hiccups when I was nearing 'fullness' and that helped too! You will eventually learn how to 'read' your body. Kate

Sip all day long and in the night too if you wake. You really don't want to be dehydrated on top of recovering from surgery. Congratulations on the surgery! Kate

I was just under 40 BMI and I have been sucessfull with having the sleve. The reality is that we all lose weight at different rates but as long as its going down, then its all positive. I am so glad I had the sleve done, just wish I had done it years ago. Kate

Has your NUT or surgeon given you advice on what they want you to eat post op? You should really go by their guidelines and congrats on the surgery!! Not long now Kate

I also weigh yogurts, cottage cheese etc in ounces too. I can then make sure I can add the right things into myfitnesspal. Kate

I would speak to your team about this as everyone here would probably give a different answer. I do hope you feel better soon. Kate

High Protein yogurts, CarbKilla Protein Bars, beef Jerky, eggs and optimum nutrition shakes for Snacks. Otherwise meat and fish bought on a daily basis. Kate

I weigh the Protein in ounces and measure out the veg etc. Kate

I loved the Gasx strips, good for gas and sooooooooo lovely to freshen up your mouth too. Kate

I had to have three shakes a day for 2 weeks (I actually did 18 days, starting early). At the time I thought it was very difficultbut it did prepare me for post op !! Good luck for tomorrow Kate

I am in England and went private, I could have stayed up to 7 nights if I didn't have any issues but wanted to go home sooner. Kate

I agree with everyone else, that walking is the best thing you can do. Hope it eases soon Kate

I was told 10 - 14 llbs means you drop a dress size, but I think it really depends on your body structure and fat deposits etc. Congratulations on reaching GW !! Kate ps: I have lost 103 llbs and gone down 6 dress sizes. I have just had plastics and my weight might not change but my dress size may. Heres hoping